Machine counterweight installation and removal

ABSTRACT

A counterweight removal and installation system for a counterweight attached to a frame of the machine is provided. The counterweight removal and installation system includes a lever member having a first end and a second end. The lever member is rotatably coupled to the frame at the first end. The first end is positioned below a center line of the counterweight and the second end positioned above the counterweight. The counterweight removal and installation system further includes an arm coupled to the lever member and transversely extending thereof, the arm positioned above the counterweight. The counterweight removal and installation system further includes an end of a first flexible connection member attached at the second end of the lever member. The counterweight removal and installation system further includes a second flexible connection member provided between the arm and the counterweight.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a method and a system for installation and removal of a counterweight in a machine.

BACKGROUND

Machines, such as hydraulic excavators, fork lifts, loaders, shovels, feller bunchers, and other type of construction machines, are provided with a counterweight to increase the lifting and load carrying capacity of the machine. In such machines, the counterweight is arranged at a rear end of the machine in order to counterbalance the effect of loading at the lifting and load carrying work performed at a front end of the machine. However, machine users are often remove counterweights to reduce or redistribute the weight when the machine is transported over highways, by railways or by air. Further, in some applications of the machine, it may be advantageous to exclude the counterweight.

Various counterweight installation and removal systems are known in the art. For example, U. S. Pat. No. 5,833,268 discloses a self-mounting counterweight device which is mounted to one end of the chassis frame of the machine. The counterweight is U-shaped and includes two vertical sides and an outward wall defining an internal enclosure. The counterweight includes a rod mounted to the top of the counterweight for suspending it from a boom and includes lateral threaded bolts to releasably mount the counterweight to blocks on the chassis frame. The lifting boom has an inward end journalled to the frame and an outward end with tackle for releasably connecting the boom outward end to the counterweight suspending rod. A hydraulic cylinder provides mechanical lift with an inward end journalled to the frame and an outward end pivotally connected to the boom. The combination of the boom and lift provides a scissor-like lever for selectively raising and lowering the counterweight between a lowered and mounted position. In the lowered position, the boom and counterweight are extended outwardly to hoist the counterweight on an adjacent ground surface. In the mounted position, the boom and hydraulic cylinder fold or nest within the internal enclosure of the U-shaped counterweight. In the mounted position therefore, the hydraulic cylinder and boom are axially bounded by the machine frame and counterweight rear wall and laterally bounded by the counterweight side wall. Damage to the boom and hydraulic cylinder with attached hydraulic hoses etc. is minimized by surrounding the relatively delicate bearings and shaft of the boom, hydraulic cylinder and hose fittings within a thick-walled steel plate enclosure of the U-shaped counterweight and chassis frame.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In one aspect of the present disclosure, a counterweight removal and installation system for a counterweight attached to a frame of the machine is provided. The counterweight installation and removal system includes a lever member having a first end and a second end. The lever member is rotatably coupled to the frame of the machine at the first end. The first end positioned above a center line of the counterweight and the second end positioned above the counterweight. The counterweight installation and removal system further includes an arm coupled to the lever member and transversely extending thereof, the arm positioned above the counterweight. The counterweight installation and removal system further includes an end of a first flexible connection member attached at the second end of the lever member. The first flexible connection member configured to apply a load at the second end of the lever member. The counterweight installation and removal system further includes a second flexible connection member provided between the arm and the counterweight.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, a machine is provided. The machine includes a frame, a lifting and load-carrying implement system provided at a front end of the frame and a counterweight provided at a rear end of the frame, and a counterweight installation and removal system. The counterweight installation and removal system includes a lever member having a first end and a second end. The lever member is rotatably coupled to the frame of the machine at the first end. The first end positioned below a center line of the counterweight and the second end positioned above the counterweight. The counterweight installation and removal system further includes an arm coupled to the lever member and transversely extending thereof, the arm positioned above the counterweight. The counterweight installation and removal system further includes an end of a first flexible connection member attached at the second end of the lever member. The first flexible connection member configured to apply a load at the second end of the lever member. The counterweight installation and removal system further includes a second flexible connection member provided between the arm and the counterweight.

In yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a method of removing a counterweight of a machine having a frame, a lifting and load-carrying implement system provided at a front end of the frame and the counterweight provided at a rear end of the frame is provided. The method includes providing a lever member having a first end and a second end. The lever member is rotatably coupled to the frame of the machine at the first end, the first end positioned below a center line of the counterweight and the second end positioned above the counterweight. The method further includes providing an arm is rigidly supported between the first end and the second end of the lever member and transversely extending thereof, the arm positioned above the counterweight. The method further includes attaching a first flexible connection member between the second end of the lever member and the implement system. The method further includes attaching a second flexible connection member between the arm and the counterweight. The method further includes loosening at least one mounting of the counterweight. The method further includes lowering the work implement to apply an upward pull on the counterweight via the first flexible connection member and the lever member. The method further includes removing the at least one mounting of the counterweight. The method further includes raising the work implement to lower the counterweight via the first flexible connection member and the lever member.

Other features and aspects of this disclosure will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of a machine having an implement system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 illustrates loosening of the counterweight from the machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 illustrates removal of the counterweight from the machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 illustrates installation of the counterweight to the machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 illustrates installation of the counterweight to the machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 6 illustrates a flowchart of a method of removing the counterweight of the machine having the frame according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of a machine 100 having an implement system 102 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The machine 100 may include, but is not limited to an excavator, a material handler, a long reach excavator, a foundation drill, a rock drill, a piling machine, a tunneling machine, and a front shovel. In the illustrated embodiment, the machine 100 may be shown as an excavator-type earthmoving or logging machine and the implement system 102, consists of linkages such as a boom 104, a stick 106, and a bucket 108. The boom 104 may be pivotally connected to a chassis 110 of the machine 100, the stick 106 may be pivotally connected to the boom 104, and the bucket 108 may be pivotally connected to the stick 106.

The machine 100 may also include a drive system 112, such as tracks for propelling the machine 100, a power source 114 to power the implement system 102 and the drive system 112, and an operator cab 116 for hosting user interface devices for controlling the implement system 102 and the drive system 112. The power source 114 may embody an engine, such as a diesel engine, a gasoline engine, a gaseous fuel-powered engine or any other type of combustion engine known in the art. The power source 114 may alternatively embody a non-combustion source of power such as a fuel cell, a power storage device, or another source known in the art. The power source 114 may produce a mechanical or electrical power output that may then be converted to hydraulic power for moving the implement system 102.

An overall movement of the bucket 108 in the first vertical plane 118 may be achieved in three parts, first by raising and lowering the boom 104 with respect to the chassis 110, second by moving the stick 106 toward and outward with respect to the operator cab 116, and third by rotating the bucket 108 relative to the stick 106. The boom 104 may be raised and lowered by a pair of first hydraulic actuators 120, 122. The stick 106 may be moved toward and outward with respect to the operator cab 116 by a second hydraulic actuator 124. A third hydraulic actuator 126 may be used to curl and uncurl the bucket 108 relative to the stick 106. Moreover, the chassis 110, and the implement system 102 it carries, may be rotated about a vertical-axis by a fourth hydraulic actuator 128, such as a hydraulic motor, with respect to the drive system 112 along a ground surface 130.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the machine 100 includes a counterweight removal and installation system 132 for a counterweight 134 attached to rear end of a frame 136 of the machine 100, whereas the implement system 102 is provided at a front end of the frame 136. The counterweight removal and installation system 132 may include a lever member 138 having a first end 140 and a second end 142. The lever member 138 may be a beam or rigid rod pivoted at a fixed hinge or fulcrum. In the illustrated embodiment, the lever member 138 may be rotatably coupled to the frame 136 at the first end 140. The first end 140 may be positioned below a center line A-A′ of the counterweight 134 and the second end 142 may be positioned above a top surface of the counterweight 134. The counterweight removal and installation system 132 may further include an arm 144 coupled to the lever member 138 and transversely extending thereof The arm 144 may also be positioned above the top surface of the counterweight 134.

Further, the counterweight removal and installation system 132 may include a first flexible connection member 148 having a first terminal end 146 and a second terminal end 150. The first flexible connection member 148 may be attached to the second end 142 of the lever member 138 at the first terminal end 146. The first flexible connection member 148 may be configured to apply a leverage or load at the second end 142 of the lever member 138. The another terminal end of the first flexible connection member 148, the second terminal end 150, may be attached to the implement system 102. In the illustrated embodiment, the second terminal end 150 of the first flexible connection member 148 is connected with the boom 104 of the implement system 102. However, in an alternative embodiment the second terminal end 150 may be connected to the stick 106 or the bucket 108 of the implement system 102. Further, an fittings and connectors are provided at the first terminal end 146 and the second terminal end 150 of the first flexible connection member 148, which may include, wire clips, swage eye or the like. The counterweight removal and installation system 132 may further include a second flexible connection member 152 that may be provided between the arm 144 and the counterweight 134. The second flexible connection member 152 may include a first terminal end 154 and a second terminal end 156. The first terminal end 154 of the second flexible connection member 152 may be coupled to the arm 144. The second terminal end 156 of the second flexible connection member 152 may be coupled to the counterweight 134 at the top surface thereof In an embodiment, the first flexible connection member 148 and the second flexible connection member 152 may include, but is not limited to cables.

The counterweight removal and installation system 132 may further include a base plate 158 that may be rigidly secured to the frame 136 of the machine 100, and the lever member 138 is rotatably coupled to the base plate 158 at the first end 140. The base plate 158 of the counterweight removal and installation system 132 may be disposed between the counterweight 134 and the frame 136 of the machine 100 and the counterweight 134 may be coupled to the frame 136 using at lest one mounting, such as, a plurality of bolts 162 with bolt heads 160.

FIG. 2 illustrates loosening of the counterweight 134 from the machine 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Firstly, the plurality of bolts 162 may be loosened by an operator using a tooling and the bolt heads 160. Secondly, the implement system 102 may be lowered (shown by arrow) to apply a slight upward pull on the counterweight 134 through the first flexible connection member 148, the lever member 138 and the arm 144. The upward pull on the counterweight 134 may facilitate the easy removal of the bolts 162. FIG. 3 illustrates removal of the counterweight 134 from the machine 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In order to remove the counterweight 134, the implement system 102 may be raised to lower the counterweight 134 via the first flexible connection member 148, the lever member 138, and the arm 144 and the second flexible connection member 152. During the removal of the counterweight 134 from the machine 100, the lever member 138 and the arm 144 may rotate in anti-clockwise direction along a radius ‘R’ that may be defined as the distance between the first terminal end 154 of the second flexible connection member 152 and the first end 140 of the lever member 138. The arm 144 may be coupled to the counterweight 134 that in turn may move towards the ground surface 130 based on the rotation of the lever member 138.

FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 illustrate a side view of the machine 100 for installation of the counterweight 134 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 4, during the installation of the counterweight 134 to the machine 100, the lever member 138 and the arm 144 may rotate in clockwise direction along the radius ‘R’, defined as the distance between the first terminal end 154 of the second flexible connection member 152 and the first end 140 of the lever member 138. The arm 144 may be coupled to the counterweight 134 that in turn may move towards the frame 136 of the machine 100 based on the rotation of the lever member 138. Further, referring to FIG. 5, once the counterweight 134 is positioned adjacent to the frame 136 the plurality of bolts 162 may be tightened by an operator. Following installation of the counterweight 134, the first flexible connection member 148 and the second flexible connection member 152 may be removed and stored while the machine 100 is ready for operation again.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present disclosure relates to the counterweight removal and installation system 132 for the counterweight 134 attached to the frame 136 of the machine 100. The counterweight removal and installation system 132 ensures removal of the counterweight 134 that reduces weight or redistributes the weight when the machine 100 is transported. The disclosed counterweight removal and installation system 132 is also retrofittable with the existing machines.

FIG. 6 illustrates a flowchart of a method 600 of removing the counterweight 134 of the machine 100 having the frame 136 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. At step 602, the method 600 includes, providing the lever member 138 having the first end 140 and the second end 142. The lever member 138 may be rotatably coupled to the frame 136 of the machine 100 at the first end 140. The first end 140 may be positioned below the center line A-A′ of the counterweight 134 and the second end 142 positioned above the counterweight 134 respectively. At step 604, the method 600 includes, providing the arm 144 that may be rigidly supported between the first end 140 and the second end 142 of the lever member 138 and transversely extending thereof. The arm 144 may be positioned above the counterweight 134. At step 606, the method 600 includes, attaching the first flexible connection member 148 between the second end 142 of the lever member 138 and the implement system 102.

Further, at step 608, the method 600 includes, attaching the second flexible connection member 152 between the arm 144 and the counterweight 134. At step 610, the method 600 includes, loosening the at least one mounting, the plurality of bolts 162, of the counterweight 134. At step 612, the method 600 includes, lowering the implement system 102 to apply an upward pull on the counterweight 134 through the first flexible connection member 148 and the lever member 138. At step 614, the method 600 includes, removing the mounting, the plurality of bolts 162, of the counterweight 134. At step 616, the method 600 includes, raising the implement system 102 to lower the counterweight 134 through the first flexible connection member 148 and the lever member 138.

While aspects of the present disclosure have been particularly shown and described with reference to the embodiments above, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various additional embodiments may be contemplated by the modification of the disclosed machines, systems and methods without departing from the spirit and scope of what is disclosed. Such embodiments should be understood to fall within the scope of the present disclosure as determined based upon the claims and any equivalents thereof. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A counterweight removal and installation system for a counterweight attached to a frame of the machine, the counterweight removal and installation system comprising: a lever member having a first end and a second end, the lever member is rotatably coupled to the frame at the first end, the first end positioned below a center line of the counterweight and the second end positioned above the counterweight; an arm coupled to the lever member and transversely extending thereof, the arm positioned above the counterweight; a first terminal end of a first flexible connection member attached at the second end of the lever member, the first flexible connection member configured to apply a load at the second end of the lever member; and a second flexible connection member provided between the arm and the counterweight.
 2. The counterweight removal and installation system of claim 1, further including a base plate rigidly secured to the frame of the machine and the lever member rotatably coupled to the base plate at the first end.
 3. The counterweight removal and installation system of claim 2, wherein the base plate is disposed between the counterweight and the frame of the machine.
 4. The counterweight removal and installation system of claim 1, wherein the machine includes an implement system and another terminal end of the first flexible connection member is attached to the implement system.
 5. The counterweight removal and installation system of claim 4, wherein the implement system includes a boom and the another terminal end of the first flexible connection member is attached to the boom.
 6. The counterweight removal and installation system of claim 1, wherein the implement system including, a boom pivotally connected to the frame.
 7. The counterweight removal and installation system of claim 4, wherein the first and the second flexible connection members are cables.
 8. The machine of claim 1, wherein the second flexible connection member includes a first terminal end and a second terminal end.
 9. The machine of claim 1, wherein the first terminal end of the second flexible connection member is coupled to the arm.
 10. The machine of claim 1, wherein the second terminal end of the second flexible connection member is coupled to the counterweight.
 11. A machine comprising: a frame; a lifting and load-carrying implement system provided at a front end of the frame; a counterweight provided at a rear end of the frame; and a counterweight installation and removal system including: a lever member having a first end and a second end, the lever member is rotatably coupled to the frame at the first end, the first end positioned below a center line of the counterweight and the second end positioned above the counterweight; an arm coupled to the lever member and transversely extending thereof, the arm positioned above the counterweight; a first terminal end of a first flexible connection member attached at the second end of the lever member, the first flexible connection member configured to apply a load at the second end of the lever member; and a second flexible connection member provided between the arm and the counterweight.
 12. The machine of claim 11, wherein the counterweight installation and removal system further comprise a base plate secured to the frame of the machine and the lever member rotatably coupled to the base plate at the first end.
 13. The machine of claim 12, wherein the base plate is disposed between the counterweight and the frame of the machine.
 14. The machine of claim 11, wherein the implement system including: a boom operatively connected to the frame at the front end thereof; a stick operatively connected to the boom; and a bucket operatively connected to the boom, wherein the first flexible connection member provided between the second end of the lever member and the boom.
 15. The machine of claim 11, wherein the first and the second flexible connection members are cables.
 16. The machine of claim 11, wherein the second flexible connection member includes a first terminal end and a second terminal end.
 17. The machine of claim 16, wherein the first terminal end of the second flexible connection member is coupled to the arm.
 18. The machine of claim 16, wherein the second terminal end of the second flexible connection member is coupled to the counterweight.
 19. A method of removing a counterweight of a machine having a frame, a lifting and load-carrying implement system provided at a front end of the frame and the counterweight provided at a rear end of the frame, the method comprising steps of: providing a lever member having a first end and a second end, the lever member is rotatably coupled to the frame of the machine at the first end, the first end positioned below a center line of the counterweight and the second end positioned above the counterweight; providing an arm is rigidly supported between the first end and the second end of the lever member and transversely extending thereof, the arm positioned above the counterweight; attaching a first flexible connection member between the second end of the lever member and the implement system; attaching a second flexible connection member between the arm and the counterweight; loosening at least one mounting of the counterweight; lowering the work implement to apply an upward pull on the counterweight via the first flexible connection member and the lever member; removing the at least one mounting of the counterweight; and raising the work implement to lower the counterweight via the first flexible connection member and the lever member. 